JP2000256972A - Suede-like artificial leather - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a suede-like artificial leather excellent in writing effects by covering the surface of a nonwoven fabric base having three-dimensionally entangled constituent fibers and including a high molecular elastomer in the interior, with raised mixed fibers of ultrafine fibers and flat fibers. SOLUTION: This suede-like artificial leather having mixed raised fibers of ultrafine fibers and ultrafine flat fibers is obtained by mixing ultrafine fiber-generating fibers, capable of forming <=0.3 de ultrafine fibers A and, for example, composed of a combination of an island component of nylon 6, and a sea component of highly fluid low- density polyethylene or the like, with flat fibers having <=3 de sizes and 5-20% flatness ratio represented by the formula [flatness (%)]=C/D×100 (c and D are each a distance in the thickness direction and the width direction of a fiber cross section respectively, with the proviso that D>C), preferably ultrafine flat fibers B obtained by dividing dividable conjugated fibers, and having <=0.5 de size, so that the weight ratio A/B may be (50/50)-(95/5) to provide a web, subjecting the obtained web to needle-punch finishing to provide a nonwoven fabric, impregnating a high molecular elastomer solution thereinto, subjecting the resultant nonwoven fabric to coagulation treatment, subjecting the obtained nonwoven fabric to sea component-removing treatment, and buffing the sea component-removed nonwoven fabric.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a garment, interior, shoes, and the like having a bright color, a glossy feeling, and a lighting effect.
The present invention relates to a suede-like artificial leather suitably used for bags, gloves, and the like. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Artificial leather having a suede-like appearance is
With a luxurious appearance with an elegant lighting effect, clothing,
Has gained a high reputation for many uses, including shoes and gloves. However, in recent years, demands for more vivid colors and glossy colors have been increasing. Heretofore, some attempts have been made to obtain a suede-like artificial leather having a vivid color and a glossy color. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-191554 proposes a napped fabric having napped fine fibers made of 5-sodium sulfoisophthalate copolymerized polyester having excellent dyeability. Further, as a raised sheet having a glossy appearance, a sheet in which a polymer elastic body of a base layer is colored with a chromatic pigment has been proposed.

[0003]

However, although suede-like artificial leather having a nap of polyester ultrafine fibers having good coloring properties, relatively good coloring properties can be obtained, there is a limit to the coloring properties due to ultrafine fibers. As a result, the intended clear color development cannot be obtained, and gloss cannot be obtained. In the case where the base layer is colored with a chromatic pigment, the appearance of the base layer is clearly visible from the gaps between the conventional finely colored naps, and the clear color of the base is obtained by the fine naps. It is different from the vivid color suede obtained from the high coloring property of the pilo itself that is blurred and desired.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventors have conducted research, and as a result, it has been found that the nap is a mixture of ultrafine fibers of 0.3 denier or less and flat fibers of 3 denier or less. As a result, it has been found that it is possible to obtain a suede-like artificial leather having a clear and glossy feeling and having a lighting effect. That is, according to the present invention, the A / B ratio of the ultrafine fiber (A) of 0.3 denier or less and the fiber (B) of 3 denier or less and having a flat cross section is 5% by weight.
A microfiber (A) continuous from the base layer and a flat fiber on at least one surface of a base layer made of a nonwoven fabric three-dimensionally entangled at 0/50 to 95/5 and a polymer elastic material contained in the nonwoven fabric; (B) It is an artificial leather suede having the nap.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The ultrafine fiber-generating fiber for producing an ultrafine fiber (A) having a fineness of not more than 0.3 denier used in the present invention is a composite spinning of two or more types of thermoplastic polymers having no compatibility. Or it is obtained by mixed spinning.
The typical fiber form is a so-called sea-island type fiber. As the island component polymer of the fiber, a polymer which can be melt-spun and sufficiently exhibit fiber properties such as strength, and which has a higher melt viscosity than the sea component polymer under spinning conditions, and a large surface tension is preferable. For example, polyamide-based polymers such as 6-nylon and 66-nylon, and copolymers mainly containing the same, polyester-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, and copolymers mainly containing the same are preferably used. Used. As the sea component polymer,
Melt viscosity is lower than that of island component polymer.Solubility and decomposability with island component are different.Solubility in solvent or decomposer used for dissolution and removal of sea component is large. Are preferred. For example, polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, modified polyester and the like are preferably used.

[0006] In the present invention, the preferred ultra-fine fiber-generating fiber for generating ultra-fine fibers (A) having a fineness of 0.3 denier or less, that is, the preferred sea-island volume ratio of sea-island fiber is sea / island = 30/7.
It is in the range of 0-70 / 30. If the content of the sea component is less than 30%, the components which are dissolved or decomposed and removed with a solvent or a decomposer are too small to sufficiently exhibit flexibility. It is unsuitable from the viewpoint of productivity that the absolute amount of the resulting fiber is small and sufficient physical properties as a leather-like sheet cannot be secured, and that there are many components to be dissolved or decomposed and removed.

In the present invention, the average fiber denier of the island component after dissolving and removing the sea component is 0.3 denier or less, preferably 0.1 denier or less, more preferably 0.05 denier or less. In general, nonwoven fabrics made of thick denier fiber entangled body tend to easily pull out fibers.In the present invention, if the fiber denier of the islands exceeds 0.3 denier, the phenomenon of pulling out of ultrafine fibers after removing the sea component may occur. It becomes remarkable, and the peeling strength with the rubber portion required for sports shoes or the like does not increase, and the flexibility of the base is impaired, resulting in a rough touch. The ultrafine fiber-generating fiber is formed into staples through a process such as stretching, crimping, heat setting, and cutting by a conventionally known method.

The fiber (B) having a flat cross-sectional structure of 3 denier or less, more preferably 0.5 denier or less, which constitutes the present invention, is directly spun by using a spinning hole such as a linear slit. It can be obtained by splitting a split type composite spun fiber composed of two kinds of polymers or dissolving and removing one component. In the fiber (B), when the denier is 0.1 denier or less, the effect of the uneven surface is reduced, and therefore, a thickness exceeding 0.1 denier is preferable. Fiber (B)
As a polymer constituting, a component capable of forming a fiber by melt spinning or the like and which is not dissolved or decomposed and removed by a solvent or a decomposer for generating (A), for example, 6-nylon, 66-nylon, etc. Polyamide-based polymers, copolymers mainly composed of the above, polyester-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, and copolymers mainly composed of the same are preferably used. The polymer of the island component (A) and the polymer of the fiber (B) may be the same or different. When using a joint type composite fiber composed of two types of polymers, one component is a polymer that can be melt-spun and exhibits sufficient fiber properties such as strength, and has a higher melt viscosity than the sea component polymer under spinning conditions. Large, and a polymer having a large surface tension is preferable, for example, a polyamide-based polymer such as 6-nylon and 66-nylon, and a copolymer based on this, a polyester-based polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, and A copolymer or the like mainly containing this is preferably used. On the other hand, as the other component polymer, those having low compatibility with the above component polymer, for example, polyester polymers such as nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, and copolymers mainly containing the same are used, and dissolved and removed. If different, solubility and degradability with the above polymer is different, dissolution of sea components,
A polymer having high solubility in a solvent or a decomposer used for removal and having low compatibility with the above components is preferable.
For example, polyethylene, modified polyethylene, polystyrene, modified polyester and the like are preferably used.

The flatness of the fiber (B) is represented by the following formula, and a fiber having a flatness of 5% to 20% is preferably used. Flatness (%) = C / D × 100 C: distance in the thickness direction of the fiber cross section D: distance in the width direction of the fiber cross section However, D> C. If the flatness is within this range,
Since the deflected plane acts like a mirror surface, exhibits glossiness and high color development, and has moderate flexibility, it has a good texture for the fineness and has little adverse effect on the tactile sensation. However, when the flattening rate is less than 5%, when the nonwoven fabric is entangled, the resistance tends to be large and it is difficult to entangle. Further, the fiber itself is bent or twisted, and a normal entanglement is obtained. May not be possible. On the other hand, if it exceeds 20%, the effect of using the flat fibers is reduced, and the texture becomes hard due to high rigidity. Particularly preferably, a monocomponent polymer of a conjugate spun fiber having a multilayer laminated cross section in which the flat surface is a substantially flat fiber, for example, the laminated surfaces are linear and adjacent laminated surfaces are parallel to each other. By removing or decomposing or removing the polymer at the interface of the polymer.

In the present invention, the ratio of the ultrafine fiber (A) of 0.3 denier or less and the fiber (B) having a flat cross-sectional structure of 3 denier or less is such that A / B is 50/5 by weight.
Those having 0 to 95/5 are preferably used. Furthermore, it is preferably 70/30 to 90/10. By combining the ultrafine fibers and flat fibers at these ratios, the lighting effect that brings out the luxury feeling derived from the ultrafine fibers, the soft touch feeling and the high color developability and glossiness derived from the flat fibers exert a well-balanced effect, A high-quality artificial leather suede in which both are compatible can be obtained. However, the weight ratio of A / B is 5
When the ratio is less than 0/50, a lighting effect peculiar to the ultrafine fiber cannot be obtained, and a soft touch cannot be obtained. Also. 95
When the ratio exceeds / 5, high color developability and glossiness derived from flat fibers cannot be obtained.

Mixing of ultrafine fiber generating fiber (hereinafter abbreviated as a) with fiber (B) or fiber (b) which generates fiber (B) [hereinafter referred to as fiber (B) when included in fiber (B)] The staple may be provided with an oil agent such as silicone. The types of oil agents include polyorganosiloxane and various modified silicone oil agents that have the effect of reducing friction between fibers, and mineral oil oil agents that have the effect of reducing friction between metals by combining fibers. A known oil agent such as an antistatic agent is blended and applied in consideration of the characteristics of the fiber. The application step may be performed before or after each fiber is crimped, or when mixing both fibers. Fiber (a)
Different types of oil agents may be applied to the fiber and the fiber (B). In particular, the microfiber-generating fiber (a) is susceptible to troubles such as winding and fiber cracking in the card and needle processes.
Therefore, it is preferable that the oil agent for reducing the friction coefficient is mainly applied to the fiber (a). The staples are weighed to a predetermined ratio within the scope of the present invention, and are blended and spread by a known method such as a blender. Subsequently, a staple in which the ultrafine fiber-generating fibers (a) and (B) are mixed is carded by a known method.
It can be obtained by forming a random web or a cross-wrap web through a webber, and laminating these webs.

Using a plurality of cards and wrappers, the mixing ratio of (a) and (B) is changed stepwise from the surface layer within the scope of the present invention for the purpose of improving the unity of the product and the smoothness of the surface. It is inevitable that the webs are laminated to form a nonwoven fabric. According to this method, a laminating method in which the ultrafine fibers are distributed on the outermost surface is preferable because an artificial leather substrate having a smoother surface can be easily obtained.

As the felt needle of the needle punch in the present invention, a well-known felt needle is used. However, for sewing in the thickness direction of the web, a one-barb needle which does not easily cause fiber breakage is preferably used. To increase the specific gravity of the surface of the nonwoven fabric, a multi-barb needle such as 3 barbs, 6 barbs, and 9 barbs can be used. These needles may be combined depending on the purpose.

The number of punches in the needle punching step varies depending on the shape of the needle used and the thickness of the web.
It is set in the range of 00 to 2500 punches / cm ² . In general, in needle punching of microfiber-generating fiber, if the needle punching conditions are too strong, cutting or fiber cracking of microfiber-generating fiber occurs, and entanglement does not improve,
On the other hand, if the needle punching conditions are too weak, the number of fibers arranged in the thickness direction becomes insufficient, and the entanglement does not improve.

The needle-punched nonwoven fabric is then pressed in the thickness direction to smooth the surface and regulate the thickness. The method of pressing is a method of passing between multiple heating rolls,
A conventionally known method such as a method of passing a preheated nonwoven fabric between cooling rolls can be used, and the nonwoven fabric is further smoothened by melting and pressing a sea component in the fiber (a), that is, a low melt viscosity component such as polyethylene. Can be done. In this step, a removable adhesive such as polyvinyl alcohol, starch, or a resin emulsion may be applied for the purpose of suppressing a change in the form of the step due to tension or pressing.

The nonwoven fabric having a smooth surface is then impregnated with a polymer elastic solution or dispersion and solidified into a sponge.
As the polymer elastic body, a resin conventionally used for producing a leather-like sheet is preferably used. That is, a polyurethane resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyacrylic acid resin, a polyamino acid resin, a silicon resin, a copolymer thereof, a mixture thereof, and the like are preferable. These resins are impregnated into the nonwoven fabric as an aqueous emulsion or an organic solvent solution, and then coagulated into a sponge by wet coagulation or the like.

The fibrous base material impregnated and coagulated with the polymer elastic solution or dispersion is a non-solvent for the microfine fiber (A) and the polymer elastic, and the sea component of the microfine fiber generating fiber (a) The sea component is dissolved or decomposed and removed by a solvent or a liquid as a decomposer to produce ultrafine fibers (A) of 0.3 denier or less, and the fibers (B) are flattened fiber-generating fibers (b), If it is a bonded composite fiber,
Fiber (B) is generated from fiber (b). This allows
An artificial leather substrate comprising the fiber (A), the flat fiber (B) and the elastic polymer is obtained.

The thickness of the artificial leather substrate can be arbitrarily selected according to the application, and is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm. The weight ratio of the total amount of the ultrafine fibers (A) and the flat fibers (B) to the polymer elastic body is preferably 35/65 to 65/35 by weight. If the ratio is out of this range, the balance between the fiber and the elastic polymer is deteriorated, and it becomes impossible to obtain a sense of fulfillment and flexibility as a product.

Next, at least one surface of the artificial leather substrate is raised to form a fiber raised surface composed of ultrafine fibers and flat fibers. A known method such as buffing with a sandpaper is used after the artificial leather substrate is adjusted to a desired thickness or before the thickness is adjusted, for forming the fiber raised surface. If the thickness has not been adjusted, the thickness is adjusted to a desired thickness to obtain a napped fibrous substrate.

The dyeing can be carried out with a conventionally known dyeing machine such as Wins, Dashline, Circular, Jigger and the like.

The dye to be used dyes polyamide ultrafine fibers and polyurethane with an acid dye, a gold-containing complex dye or the like, and it is preferable to use a 2: 1 type metal complex dye.
Prior to dyeing with a 2: 1 type metal complex dye, it is preferable to pre-dye with a dye which does not decrease the washing fastness, such as a sulfur dye or a vat dye. When dyeing,
The higher the dye concentration of the dye liquor, the darker the color is obtained,
Since the washing fastness tends to be low, the dye concentration should be 3
% Or less. It is also preferable to brush the dyed sheet in a wet state for improving the fastness.

The dyed napped fibrous base material is subjected to finishing treatment such as light resistance treatment, kneading, softening treatment, and brushing as required to obtain a fibrous napped sheet product. The fiber nap sheet of the present invention has a surface covered with microfiber nap and a nap having a flat cross-sectional structure, has a lighting effect and a soft tactile characteristic of suede, and has a high color developability and glossiness. It has an external appearance and is suitable not only for clothing but also for interior use, shoes, bags, various gloves, and the like.

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to Examples.
The present invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples, parts and percentages relate to weight unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 The island component is 6-nylon, and the sea component is high fluidity and low density.
Degree polyethylene (sea component / island component ratio = 50/50)
The mixed sea-island type spun fiber was melt-spun. The obtained fiber
Stretch, crimp and cut the fiber to 3.5 denier,
A staple having a cut length of 51 mm was obtained. On the other hand,
6- Using a nozzle with a lit and having a flat cross section
Spun nylon fiber, stretched, crimped, cut
To obtain 2 denier staples with a cut length of 51 mm.
Was. The flatness of the cross section of the fiber was 10%. the above
Staples were mixed at a weight ratio of 80/20.
After passing through the card, web by cross wrapper method
And laminated. Next, the needle with one barb
980P / cm using a needle^TwoNeed at needlestick density
Lunch and 450g / m^TwoWas obtained. this
After heating and drying the nonwoven fabric and pressing to smooth the surface,
Impregnated with a 3% ether polyurethane polyurethane DMF solution,
Coagulation with DMF aqueous solution, washing with hot water, polyethylene with hot toluene
6-nylon extra fine fibers and 6-nylon
Base for artificial leather consisting of flat fibers of polyurethane and polyurethane
Obtained. The weight ratio of fibers A / B in the substrate was 80/20.
Was. This artificial leather substrate is divided into two parts in the middle of the thickness,
Was buffed with sandpaper to a thickness of 0.5 mm
After that, the solidified surface is treated with an emery buffing machine to
Formed and liquid using the gold-containing dye Irgaran Red 2GL
It was dyed red with a flow dyeing machine. After dyeing, soappin
, Washed with water, dried and styling, 0.5mm thick, 21 basis weight
0 g / m^TwoWas obtained. This one is
Has a lighting effect and soft touch that are characteristic of
Which have higher color developability and glossy appearance
Met.

Example 2 An apparatus for producing a multi-component fiber in which a polymer stream melted by two extruder melting systems is joined at a spinning head, a mixed stream is formed by a static mixing method in which division and integration are repeated, and melt-spinning is performed. Is used, the island component is 6-nylon, and the sea component is a highly fluid low-density polyethylene (sea component / island component ratio = 40
/ 60) was spun. The obtained fiber was drawn, crimped, and cut to obtain staple (a) having a denier of 3.5 and a cut length of 51 mm. 6
-Nylon and high fluidity low density polyethylene in a weight ratio of 6
Melt spinning using a joint type composite spinneret at a ratio of / 4,
A bonded conjugate fiber having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 1 was obtained. The obtained fiber was drawn, crimped, and cut to obtain a staple (b) having a denier of 3 and a cut length of 51 mm. The two types of staples were mixed at a weight ratio of 85/15, passed through a card, formed into a web by a cross wrapper method, and laminated. Next, needle punching was performed using a felt needle having one barb on the needle at a needle penetration density of 980 P / cm ² to obtain a nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 800 g / m ² . The nonwoven fabric is dried by heating and pressed to smooth the surface, then impregnated with a 20% polyether / polyester polyurethane DMF solution, coagulated with a DMF aqueous solution, washed with hot water, and extracted with hot toluene to remove polyethylene. A substrate for artificial leather comprising ultrafine nylon fibers, flat fibers of 6-nylon and polyurethane was obtained. The fibers in the substrate were as follows: the ultrafine fibers had a denier of 0.05 denier, the flat fibers had a denier of 0.3 denier, and the flatness was 15, and the weight ratio of the fibers A / B was 85/1.
It was 5. This artificial leather substrate is divided into two in the middle of the thickness, the divided surface is buffed with sandpaper to a thickness of 1.0 mm, and the surface at the time of solidification is buffed to form a napped surface, After dyeing blue with Runel Blue BW using a liquid jet dyeing machine, soaping, washing with water,
Drying and hair conditioning were carried out to obtain a fiber napped sheet having a thickness of 1.0 mm and a basis weight of 450 g / m ² . This product had a lighting effect and a soft touch, which are the characteristics of suede, and also had a high color developing property and a glossy appearance.

Comparative Example 1 A suede-like artificial leather was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the flat fibers were 6 denier and the flatness was 20%. Although this product had a vivid color and glossiness, it had a rough fluffiness and impaired tactile sensation, and lacked a sense of quality.

Comparative Example 2 A suede-like artificial leather was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the flat fibers were 1 denier and the flatness was 35%. Although this product had a vivid color, it had no glossiness and lacked a sense of quality.

Comparative Example 3 In Example 1, the ratio of ultrafine fibers to flat fibers was 30
A suede-like artificial leather was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the ratio was / 70. Although this product had a vivid color and glossiness, it had a rough fluffiness, a small lighting effect, a rough touch, and lacked a sense of quality.

Comparative Example 4 In Example 1, the ratio of ultrafine fibers to flat fibers was 98
A suede-like artificial leather was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the ratio was / 2. This product had a soft touch and an elegant lighting effect, and had a high-grade appearance, but was not a clear color and had a poor glossiness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a fiber that generates flat fibers used in the present invention.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 4F055 AA11 AA27 BA11 DA07 EA11 EA13 EA24 FA08 FA10 FA15 4L033 AB01 AC15 CA50 CA69 CA70 4L041 AA07 BA04 BA05 BA11 BA16 BA26 BA49 BA59 BC06 BC20 BD11 BD15 BD20 CA21 CA36 DD01 DD11 DD14 EE16 EE20 4L047 AA14 AA23 AA27 AB08 AB09 BA03 BA22 CA15 CA19 CB10 CC01 CC16

Claims (3)

[Claims] An ultrafine fiber (A) having a density of 0.3 denier or less,
And a three-dimensionally entangled nonwoven fabric with a fiber (B) having a flat cross section of 3 denier or less at a weight ratio of A / B of 50/50 to 95/5 and a polymer contained in the nonwoven fabric Suede-like artificial leather having, on at least one surface of a base layer made of an elastic body, naps of ultrafine fibers (A) and flat fibers continuous from the base layer. 2. The suede-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fiber (B) has a flatness of 5% to 20% represented by the following formula. Flatness (%) = C / D × 100 C: distance in the thickness direction of the fiber cross section D: distance in the width direction of the fiber cross section However, D> C. 3. The artificial suede-like leather according to claim 1, wherein the fiber (B) is an ultrafine fiber having a denier of 0.5 denier or less obtained by dividing a splittable conjugate spun fiber.